Flight from hell: Terrifying turbulence sends passengers flying on Air Europa jet

In a shocking incident that gripped the aviation world, forty people were injured, some seriously, after an Air Europa flight from Spain to Uruguay plunged into chaos due to severe turbulence. The flight, identified as UX045, was forced to make an emergency diversion to Natal International Airport in São Gonçalo do Amarante, Brazil, in the early hours of Monday morning.

The Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, carrying 325 passengers, encountered what the airline described as “heavy” turbulence. Disturbing passenger videos emerged showing significant damage inside the cabin; some passengers were seen being hurled towards the cabin ceiling, while others, injured and in neck braces, lay scattered along the aisle. One particularly harrowing video captured a man dangling inexplicably from an overhead compartment.

Upon the plane’s emergency landing at 2:32 a.m. local time, immediate medical attention was required for thirty individuals right at the airport, while ten others needed hospitalization for further medical examination. As of Tuesday morning, seven of these passengers remain hospitalized in serious but stable condition, highlighting the severity of the injuries sustained.

Following the harrowing ordeal, the flight was rerouted to Natal, the nearest airport capable of handling the urgent medical needs of the passengers. Air Europa has since confirmed that passengers in good condition were transported to Recife, where they continued their journey to Montevideo, Uruguay, on a replacement aircraft.

The original aircraft involved in the incident is currently grounded and under examination as the investigation into the cause of the turbulence continues.

This incident serves as a stark reminder of the unpredictability and potential danger of air travel, even with modern aviation technology. The severe turbulence experienced by Flight UX045 illustrates the critical importance of adhering to safety protocols, such as wearing seat belts at all times during a flight.